Herbie Murray
Properly storing your backpacking sleeping bag is essential to prolonging its life and ensuring that you get a good night's sleep. Incorrectly stored sleeping bags can easily become soiled or damaged, and over time the fragile insulation fibres inside will be compromised, leading to a cold night's sleep. To avoid this, it is important to follow a few simple steps to ensure your sleeping bag stays in top condition for years to come.
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Keep it dry
Keeping your backpacking sleeping bag dry is critical to its longevity. Here are some tips to ensure your bag stays dry:
Avoid Moist Environments
Avoid storing your sleeping bag in damp environments such as basements, garages, attics, or car trunks. These spaces can be prone to moisture and temperature extremes, which are detrimental to the bag. Instead, opt for a cool, dry place, such as a closet or a shelf.
Use Waterproof Stuff Sacks
When backpacking, consider using waterproof stuff sacks to store your sleeping bag. These sacks are designed to keep your gear dry, especially in rainy conditions. You can also use a regular stuff sack lined with a plastic garbage bag for added protection. Just ensure that once you reach your destination, you remove the sleeping bag from the stuff sack to allow it to breathe and regain its loft.
Air Out Your Bag
Always air out your sleeping bag after use, especially if it has been exposed to moisture. Turn it inside out to dry out any moisture, and avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for extended periods, as UV light can degrade the fabric over time. If your bag gets soaked, air it out for several hours to ensure it dries completely.
Keep Yourself Dry
Before entering your sleeping bag, ensure you are clean and dry. Change into clean clothes, especially underwear, socks, and long underwear. Avoid breathing inside the bag, and if necessary, drape a scarf or shirt over your nose to prevent moisture from your breath from entering the bag. If you start sweating, regulate your temperature by unzipping the bag or moving a leg in and out.
Use a Sleeping Bag Liner
Consider using a sleeping bag liner to help keep the inside of your bag clean. Liners are easier to wash than the entire sleeping bag, and they can also add a layer of warmth. Silk, cotton, or merino liners are good options.
Wash and Dry Properly
Washing your sleeping bag periodically is essential, especially if you're an avid backpacker. Wash by hand or use a front-loading machine, and always dry on a low heat setting, checking frequently to avoid damage.
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Use a storage sack
When storing your backpacking sleeping bag, it is recommended to use a storage sack. This is because storage sacks are large and loose, allowing your sleeping bag to remain lofted and uncompressed. Most modern sleeping bags are sold with a large cotton storage sack, which is ideal for storing your bag at home. However, if your bag did not come with a storage sack, you can purchase one from an outdoor store or use a cotton or mesh sack of around 90L in size. A king-size pillowcase can also be used, although it may be a little small.
Storage sacks are designed to protect your sleeping bag's insulating fibres when not in use. They provide ample space for your bag to loft inside while in storage. This is important as the compression of a sleeping bag over an extended period can cause the bag to lose its loft and insulation capacity. Therefore, it is recommended to store your sleeping bag in a storage sack rather than a stuff sack, which is designed for easy transport when camping or hiking.
When using a storage sack, it is important to loosely pack your sleeping bag inside. Avoid containers that create an airtight seal, as changes in temperature can cause air to condense inside, leading to mould. Instead, opt for a container that can be easily ventilated while still protecting the bag from dust, dirt and vermin. If using a fully enclosed plastic container, slightly crack the lid to allow air to flow through.
The best place to store your sleeping bag is in a cool, dry, and dark location away from direct sunlight. Garages, attics, and basements are not ideal as they are often damp and humid, which can cause mould to form on the sleeping bag over time. Instead, store your sleeping bag in a closet or shelf, ensuring it has enough space to fully loft and air out. If space is an issue, you can hang your sleeping bag in a storage closet or from a curtain rod using a sleeping bag hanger.
By using a storage sack and following the recommended storage practices, you can help ensure your sleeping bag remains in good condition and maintains its insulation and lofting abilities.
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Hang it up
Hanging up your sleeping bag is a great way to store it when not in use. Hanging allows the bag to remain loose, which is ideal for maintaining its insulating properties.
Firstly, ensure your bag is thoroughly cleaned and completely dry. Natural body oils, sweat, dirt and grime can build up on the fabric and insulation fibres over time, so it's important to keep on top of cleaning your bag. If you've just washed your bag, wring out the excess moisture and hang it up to air dry. You can also set up a fan or dehumidifier to speed up the drying process.
Once your bag is clean and dry, it's time to hang it up. If you're hanging it outside, choose a covered area where it won't be exposed to direct sunlight, as UV rays can weaken the fabric. If you're hanging it indoors, choose a dry, temperature-controlled area. Avoid damp basements and unheated spaces like garages and attics. You can hang your bag over a line or on a large hanger, or use a sleeping bag hanger if you're short on space.
Some people prefer to hang their bags in a cotton or mesh storage bag, which can be hung in a closet or on the back of a door. This helps to protect the bag from dust and damage while still allowing it to remain loose and breathable. If you don't have a storage bag, a large cotton laundry bag or a pillowcase can also be used.
By hanging your sleeping bag and ensuring it's clean and dry, you'll help to prolong its lifespan and maintain its insulating abilities, ensuring you stay warm and comfortable on your next adventure.
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Avoid direct sunlight
When storing your backpacking sleeping bag, it is important to keep it away from direct sunlight. UV rays can weaken the fabric of your sleeping bag, causing damage to the exterior coating and materials. This is especially true if your bag has a waterproof outer shell as this blocks the dissipation of moisture.
To avoid direct sunlight, store your sleeping bag in a cool, dry place. A dry room or cupboard with good ventilation and plenty of space for the bag to air out is ideal. Keep the bag off the floor to avoid any moisture build-up. A storage rack or shelf in a closet is a great option. If you need to hang your bag outside, make sure it is not in direct sunlight and that it is not too hot or humid. You can also hang your bag inside, in a dry room, and use a fan to keep the air moving.
If you are storing your bag inside a stuff sack, make sure it is a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack. This will allow for air circulation and prevent moisture build-up, which can contribute to mould growth. You can also use a large pillowcase or sew your own cotton bag. Avoid using a compression sack for long-term storage as this can damage the insulating fibres.
When drying your sleeping bag, avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for too long. UV light can degrade the fabric over time. Instead, hang the bag in a dry, temperature-controlled indoor area or outside in a shaded area. You can use a fan or dehumidifier to speed up the drying process.
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Store in a cool place
When storing your backpacking sleeping bag, it's important to keep it in a cool, dry place. Moisture and temperature extremes can damage your bag, so avoid damp basements and unheated or uncooled spaces like garages and attics.
If possible, hang your bag in a dry, temperature-controlled indoor area. If you don't have enough space to hang it, you can lay it flat in a cool, dry place. Make sure to keep it off the ground and away from direct sunlight, as UV rays can weaken the fabric.
If you're tight on space, consider storing your bag in a large cotton or mesh sack. These sacks provide breathability and help maintain the loft of the insulation. You can also use a large pillowcase or a laundry bag, which will keep your bag compact while still allowing it to breathe.
To ensure your sleeping bag stays in good condition, it's important to clean and dry it thoroughly before storing it. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate on the insulation fibres, compromising their performance. Spot-clean your bag after each use and consider washing it once a season or every few years, depending on how often you use it. Always dry your sleeping bag on a low heat setting and avoid twisting it to prevent damage.
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Frequently asked questions
Storing your sleeping bag in a cool, dry place is critical. You should also ensure that it is thoroughly dry before storing it. It's best to keep it in a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack, or hang it in a closet.
No, you should not store your sleeping bag in its stuff sack. If you leave your bag in a compressed state for several months, it will lose its loft and fluffiness.
You should do a full wash of your sleeping bag every few years or at the end of every season if you use it frequently. It's also a good idea to wash your bag once a season if you're an avid backpacker.
Before storing or compressing your sleeping bag, give it a thorough cleaning. You can do this by spot-cleaning your bag after every trip with a soft toothbrush or a slightly damp cloth. You can also turn your sleeping bag inside out and use a dedicated technical soap to spot-clean any stains or dirt marks.
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